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Kilifi County is grappling with a significant budget shortfall that is putting immense strain on its ability to provide essential services like healthcare, agriculture, education and sanitation.

With a budget deficit of 36%, the County faces a critical gap between its projected revenue and actual funds available to execute its development goals.

According to the trends in pro-poor sector allocation and spending report by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), the county requires Sh100.7 billion to implement key projects outlined in the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) but anticipates only Sh64.9 billion in revenue, leaving a shortfall of Sh35.9 billion.

The report which is an analysis of the Kilifi County budget provides an in-depth analysis of the county’s budgetary allocations and expenditures in key sector that directly affect the poor and marginalized population.

“The County requires Sh100,770 million to finance programs and projects under the CIDP but expects revenue totaling Sh64,865 million which indicates a Sh35,914 million deficits translating to 36%, this has a direct bearing on service delivery,” read the KHRC report.

Coast region budget hub facilitator Eric Mgoja revealed that the deficit has serious consequences for the communities relying on county services.

“The budget shortfall has affected all sectors in Kilifi. Healthy services are among the most affected, especially in rural areas like Magarni, Ganze, and Kaloleni, where residents face critical shortages of medical staff, equipment and medicines,” he said.

He said health facilities like Milalani and Mrima Mkulu dispensaries are a few projects that have stalled for over 10 years.

The situation is characterized by incomplete healthy facility projects, which have stalled due to lack of development funds.

Tobias Mwarabu from Chonyi youth initiative said projects like Pingilikani dispensary maternity wing and a laboratory at Kizingo Health Centre have stalled for years due to budget constraints.

“The maternity block at Pingilikani dispensary was started eight years ago but it is yet to be completed. This has affected many women as they have to walk long distances to get medication,” said Mwarabu.

Currently there are over 15 stalled health project across the county.

Rahma Oda, from the Youth Voice and Action Initiative said a recent survey conducted at Kiwandani dispensary revealed a huge shortage of medical supplies.

“I was part of the team that carried out the survey and what we discovered is something that needs immediate action. People have to buy most of the drugs in private chemists because the facility has no essential drugs and this boils down to budget shortfalls,” said Oda.

The water and sanitation sector has not been spared either. Kilifi County’s arid areas like Kaloleni, Ganze and Magarini are particularly vulnerable to water shortages.

In Kaloleni, the County government allocated money to rehabilitate and expand the Kibao cha Palakumi Mwijo Pipeline since 2021 but the project has not yet actualized.

The project was intended to address water shortage in Kaloleni sub-county which heavily relies on water pans. As a result, resident continue to rely on unsafe water source, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases.